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James Canning
James was born in June 1885 to Thomas (widower, aged 50 at the time of his marriage) and Jane (widow, 42) of MacBeth Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool. His mother, Jane Horner (nee Hanley) had married George Horner in 1862. Having come to Fleetwood looking for work James met Hilda Moffatt. In 1910 they were married at St Peter's, Fleetwood, Hilda was aged 22 and James 24, his occupation being given as marine engineer, address for both was Milton Street, Fleetwood.
Like many of his generation he volunteered to serve with the British Army at the start of World War I, signing on at Liverpool without his wife's knowledge. He became a sergeant in the Royal Engineers attached (we believe) to the Royal Lancashire Fusiliers, and saw active service at the Somme and Mons. He was shell-shocked and suffered other injuries but survived. After the War he worked as an engineer on trawlers out of Fleetwood, he took a pride in his work and his engine rooms were renowned throughout the port of Fleetwood. He died in hospital in Liverpool in 1932 and is buried in Fleetwood Cemetery, later joined by wife Hilda and mother in law Eliza (see below).
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